The wolf is an emblematic species in France, but it often faces challenges related to coexistence with human activities. Since their return to France in the 1990s, wolves have sparked heated debates between breeders, hunters, conservationists and government authorities. In this article, we will examine the issues of wolf conservation in France and the measures taken to ensure their survival.
Photo @Atrayoux
Série "Black and White"
The wolf in France: a threatened natural heritage
At the beginning of the 20th century, France still had several thousand wolves living in mountainous and forest regions. However, wolf populations have been decimated by hunting, poisoning and the destruction of their natural habitat. In the 1930s, the wolf had completely disappeared from French territory. However, in the 1990s, the wolf began to return to France from Italy. Since then, their numbers have increased steadily, but it still remains relatively low at around 500 individuals. Despite this encouraging rebirth, the coexistence between wolves and human activities, in particular animal husbandry, is difficult. Breeders often complain about wolf attacks on their herds, which can cause significant financial losses. This has led to conflict between ranchers and proponents of wolf protection.
Photo @Atrayoux
Série "Black and White"
Protection of the wolf in France
The wolf has been protected in France since 1993 by the Bern Convention and the Habitats-Fauna-Flora Directive of the European Union. The wolf is also on the list of protected species in France. The French government adopted a national strategy for the conservation of the wolf in 2018. This strategy aims to guarantee the viability of the wolf population in France while minimizing conflicts with human activities, in particular breeding. The strategy is based on three pillars: protection, prevention and compensation. Protection includes monitoring wolf populations, regulating hunting and cracking down on illegal activities such as poaching. Prevention consists of raising farmers' awareness of herd protection measures and promoting farming practices that respect the environment. The compensation makes it possible to reimburse the losses suffered by the breeders during wolf attacks. In addition, France has created special protection areas for the wolf, where hunting and intensive agriculture are restricted to guarantee the protection of the natural habitat of the wolf population.
Conclusion
The preservation of the wolf in France is a major challenge for biodiversity and the preservation of France's natural heritage. Wolf protection is a complex challenge, which requires a balanced approach between protecting wolves and protecting human activities.
Photo @Atrayoux
Collection "Black and Wild"